Odisha’s Similipal National Park to open for tourists on Nov 1; Know details about entry tickets, timing

Baripada: Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha will reopen for tourists on November 1 (Tuesday).

The national park, spread over 2,750 sq km, had been closed for visitors ahead of the arrival of monsoon in the state.

“We will allow 60 four-wheelers carrying tourists to enter the national park in a day. A total of 35 four-wheelers will be allowed to enter Similipal through Kaliani gate and the remaining 25 vehicles will be allowed through Pithabata gate. The tourists can collect the entry tickets from Kaliani and Pithabata counters from 6 am to 9 am,” said Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) T Ashok Kumar.

Officials have been directed to check the vehicles thoroughly before allowing them to enter into Similipal. No one will be allowed to carry polythene bags, cooked food, liquor and other narcotic substances into the national park, added the RCCF.

“The tourists will have to leave Jaranda and Barehipani waterfall by 3 pm and Chahala by 4 pm. There will be proper arrangements to ferry tourists to Baripada or Jashipur bus stands in case of a vehicle breakdown in the park. We will charge Rs 4,000 per vehicle to ferry visitors to Baripada or Jashipur,” said the RCCF.

Visitors can book for night stay at Yatri Niwas (tourist shelters) at Kumari, Gudugudia, Ramtirtha, Bahehipani and Jamuani by visiting website www.ecotourodisha.com, added the RCCF.

“Tourists will also be allowed to visit Devkund waterfall inside Similipal Tiger Reserve from November 1. They can collect the entry tickets from a counter at the first gate of the reserve from 7 am to 2 pm. We are urging tourists to follow the rules while visiting the national park. Any violation in this regard would invite stern action,” said the RCCF.